Poisonous: A Visit To Earth (DC Angels Book 2)

by Chas Funderburg

  “Nice outfit. It really does wonders for you.” He motioned towards the inside of his condo. “Please. Won’t you come in?”

  “Why thank, you.” His gentle manner pleased her; she felt appreciated, and liked it. “My but you’re a gentleman tonight. This is a pleasant turn of events.”

  “I thought it might be nice to do something different than just jumping into the sack as quickly as possible.”

  “Why thank you, Roger. I know I’m evil, but I am a lady.” It really did feel nice. They enjoyed a conversation—surprisingly, not about all their conquests, but getting the most out of this life.

  Tongue-in-cheek, Roger said, “You know the aphorism, ‘let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.’”

  “You don’t know how much truth is in that. Trust me.” She shuddered, not wanting to start thinking about being in agony while fire consumed her for eternity.

  The clock on the wall read, ‘12:17.’ “Oh my. It’s getting late, and I know you have to go work tomorrow. I’d better get going.”

  “You know, Perri... this may sound strange, but I really enjoyed talking to you. It was fun. We really ought to do this again.”

  She stared at him, realizing they hadn’t had sex, or even made out. Now that she thought of it, the conversation reminded her of her heart, and the one who had captured it. “You’re right. I actually enjoyed your company as well.” She got up, and walked towards the door. “But I must be going.”

  He retrieved her purse, put her wrap around her shoulders and kissed her gently on the forehead. “G’nite, Perri.”

  “Good night, Roger.”

  She walked out the door, and headed towards the main lobby. The train at the U Street/Cordoza station rolled up, stopped and opened its doors. A seat in the middle of the row, being empty, found her sitting in it.

  BAM! The thought hit her so hard, she gasped. He sat next to her, one arms around her back, another cradling her head as he kissed her tenderly. She held him, and drank in his kiss with every ounce of her being. The pain in her heart overtook her happy reverie, so she banished the thoughts from her mind.

  “No. No. NO! Stop it, you foolish heart. I’ve told you before, I cannot love like that. It will make me weak. And, besides...” She fought back the tears, and spoke in a quieter voice. “... it hurts too much.”

  Her face contorted while she pounded her fist on the seat next to her. The thought hit her with a force as strong as a hard, swift slap to the face, bringing out her fury and accompanying execrations. “Evie! She and her prayers! I thought there was something unusual about this evening.” She fluctuated between being intensely angry and intensely sad all the way home.

  As she walked in the door, Evie looked up from her book.

  “Hi. How was your evening?”

  Frosty icicles shot at Evie. “You know, I’d really appreciate it if you’d quit praying for me. You’re making me crazy... quit ruining my life!”

  “I’m not sure how I’m ruining your life. I’m just changing your habits by having the Father intervene in your life. You’re only feeling crazy, because it’s the diametrically opposed to your way of thinking. You’re not used to having to deal with positive emotions.”

  “And quite frankly, I don’t want to. Now I’m going to bed. I can’t deal with you or any more of this...this positivity.”

  Walking away, she ducked into her room, where at least Evie’s prayers wouldn’t plague her—at least she hoped.

  * * *

  Saturday, July 26th

  Fingernails brightly polished in a shade of bright red tapped nervously on the table as she waited for Roger. Luckily, Carlo had taken Evie on a date, so she sat alone in the apartment, accompanied only by her thoughts. Her eyes shut tight. “I do not want to be reminded of the presence of not only Evie, but Lord Yehovah, and the Spirit of Light. They’re all making me miserable.”

  The footsteps echoed in the hall, and arrived at her door, which she ran to as soon as she heard the knock. “Oh Roger. It’s so good to see you here. I’m going crazy. My roommate has been making me crazy. Please... take me away.”

  “No problem. Your carriage awaits you, my lady...” He gestured towards the elevators down the hall.

  She managed a small smile. “Good. Let’s get out of here.”

  They arrived at the country club about twenty minutes later. The meticulously manicured lawn, fed and watered with care to a lush green, immediately caught her eye. “Roger, this place is beautiful.”

  “Only the best for you, my dear.” He smiled affably.

  Holding Roger’s hand, she walked into the country club, admiring the opulence in every detail. “Ooh. I like this. It suits me; this style of living and class of people.” The attendees of the party from last week gathered around the hors d’oeuvres. She waved in their direction, and they waved back.

  “Oh good. They’ll help me make Amanda’s life a living hell.”

  Roger answered in deadpan. “I’ll leave you to... mingle.” He walked away to join the other guests.

  She walked in Kyle’s direction, and waited for a break in the conversation he was having with his male friends. The opportunity presented itself, and she tapped him on the shoulder.

  He turned quickly, and looked at her quizzically for a few moments.

  She put on her most ingratiating manner. “You don’t recognize me, do you?”

  “Umm, no…have we met before?”

  “Yes... at Roger Bonilla’s last party... at his house.”

  Recognition hit. “Oh yes. Now I remember. You’re that woman whom my wife bumped into that night... was it ‘Perri?’”

  “Yes... good to see you again, Kyle.”

  “Likewise. Say... how do you know Roger?”

  “We have a mutual friend.” She changed the subject quickly before the mention of Shane’s name caused her to break down and cry. “So... how long have you and Amanda been married?”

  “In October, it will be three years.”

  He looked blasé about the whole thing, which didn’t escape her notice. “Is everything alright with your marriage?”

  He looked at his wife across the room, then back at her. His head hung low, as if mulling over a big decision. “Well... we’ve been having our differences lately.”

  Excitement built in her as Kyle’s words confirmed the weak spot in his marriage. “Oh... I’m so sorry to hear that... do you mind telling me what’s going on? Consider me an impartial ear.”

  A few moments later, he said, “Well, she really wants to have kids, and I... well, I’m not real gung-ho about it right now. I’m just turning twenty-seven in a couple of months, and I feel like we need a little more time as just she and I. I’d like to have my freedom a little while longer.”

  “But she doesn’t like that idea at all. You poor dear.” She held his hands to appear more compassionate. “Maybe we should get together and talk about it some time.” She purposefully left out that they should consider whether his wife would agree. Her partner VD and she had talked Evie into ‘talking about it’ to Peter, and breaking up the relationship with Peter and Gracie. However, when she thought about Gracie dating Shane, that too-familiar heartache started to rear its ugly head, and stopped her line of thinking in its tracks. Steeling herself, she turned her attention back to the game at hand. “What do you say, Kyle?” A smile of sweetness and light followed.

  At first, he didn’t say anything.

  “Oh, come on Kyle. What could it hurt? You need someone to talk to about your problems. I think a woman like me would understand from a feminine point of view, and that’s what you need. Now come on. Let’s just make up our minds and do it. Okay?”

  “Well... okay. But she can’t know we’re doing this.”

  “I promise: I’m very discrete.”

  “What do you say we meet for lunch this Monday... say, one o’clock?”

  “Um... sure.”

  “Good. I’m proud of you, Kyle. Talking is the best way to get it of
f your chest, and figure it out. I’ll see you on Monday then.”

  Reticently, he managed, “Alright.”

  Sympathy and empathy finally accomplished her objective. Smiling sweetly, she held both his hands, gave him a chaste peck on his cheek, turned and walked over towards her ‘support group’ from the last party.

  “Hi, Perri,” said Zoe Fischer, one of the more vocal ones. “I’m surprised Amanda hasn’t knocked someone over yet.”

  “Yes. I know.” She rolled her eyes in agreement. “She can be so inept.” She looked over towards Kyle, then back at them. “You know something?”

  “What?” asked Zoe.

  The other members of the group gave her their attention: eyes and ears riveted on hers. “Well, I just had a heart-to-heart with Kyle, and he confided that he thinks he’s...” She lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned into them. “... gay!”

  The other women gasped. Inwardly, she chuckled to herself. They were so gullible. She could tell them the sun was purple, and they’d probably believe it. “Just don’t tell Amanda... she’d be devastated.”

  “Oh, mum’s the word,” said Zoe. The others agreed.

  “Good. Well, ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go rejoin my friend. Enjoy your evening. She walked back over to Roger, who was talking to Amanda and a friend of hers. She stood just out of Amanda’s eyesight. This was too easy. Sure enough, when Amanda turned to excuse herself, she walked directly into her.

  “Oh no…not again!” Amanda turned red as a beet, apologizing several times.

  “Oh, I know you didn’t mean it.” Again, her smile and her attitude dripped with forced sweetness.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Oh, yes. It’s quite all right.”

  “I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  We’ll see about that.

  “No problem, sweetie. See you next time.” With Amanda out of earshot, she introduced herself to Amanda’s friend. “Hi. I’m Perri.” She extended her hand.

  “Hi, I’m Robin Perry. Good to meet you.”

  “How long have you known Amanda?”

  “About five years. I’ve never known her to be so clumsy before.”

  “I don’t know, but it seems that lately, she bumps into me all the time.”

  “I know. I don’t know what’s come over her.”

  She moved in for the kill. “You know, I just talked to Kyle, and...” She whispered in her ear. “… He says he thinks he’s gay.”

  Robin gasped. “No way! Really?”

  Her head shook in agreement, appearing serious and sober as a judge. “Just don’t tell anyone -- especially Amanda—that I told you so.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Robin blinked a couple of times and stood silently for a few moments before she spoke next. “Well, Perri. Good to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  “A pleasure, Robin.” As Robin walked away, she turned to Roger, who maintained a very stoic face as he had eavesdropped on the entire conversation. “I’m going to meet Kyle on Monday for lunch. But I’d really like to meet with the girls I’ve met, so I can continue to slander Kyle and Amanda.” She pulled him up to her, and pressed herself against him. “I’d make it worth your while to arrange things for me.” A long, wet kiss sweetened the deal.

  “Hm-m-m. Only because this whole sordid affair is so intriguing, I’ll help you out; kinda curious to see just how well you pull this off.”

  Her lips pouted. “You doubt my abilities? I’m...” She paused for effect. “I’m hurt.”

  “Yes. And I just heard that Hell has frozen over…”

  She winced at the mention of Hell, but knowing that he was just being facetious, she steeled herself, and grinned. “Oh... you know me too well, you rascal, you.”

  “Yes, but you’ve managed to get your way again. My, but you’re good.”

  “Of course. Now why don’t you show me how good I am? Hmm…?” Getting her way always spiced up her sex with Roger. She basked in the afterglow long after she left.

  * * *

  Sunday, July 27th

  They had arranged to meet in a boisterous family-style restaurant so they wouldn’t be noticed or heard above the pandemonium. The picked a burger joint in Georgetown with a retro Nineteen Fifties vibe. As she walked in, several college kids from Georgetown engaged in energetic conversation as they downed hamburgers, chicken tenders and French fries, all loaded with enough cholesterol to clog every artery in your heart. Poisonous saw Phoebe walk in and flagged her down.

  “I’m glad to see you’ve decided to take me up on my offer.”

  “Yeah,” Phoebe answered, “but I’ve got a couple of questions.’

  “Shoot.”

  “So, I get paid every time, even if I have only a conversation with a man?”

  “Yes, but make sure he appeals to you. However, don’t let your heart become too involved. If you want to that, you’re in the wrong business.”

  “Well,” said Phoebe, “I’m up to the challenge. When do I start?”

  “Right away. Just keep track of names, places, conversations and times, and I’ll take care of the rest. I have had a special software app developed for me to keep track of your time. You start your time whenever you make contact with someone, even if it is only a phone call—which you would wisely use to set up a ‘date.’ Any other questions?”

  “How do I use this software?”

  “Very simple: once the app is started, you just press ‘Start’ on the app on your smart phone whenever you engage with someone, and ‘End’ whenever the engagement ends. I’ll show you how to download the app.”

  “Okay. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  Nine

  Sunday, August 3rd

  Perri lay on her bed, cell phone to her ear, mulling over her strategy. The idea percolated with such convincing force she thought her head would explode. The speed-dial button called up Roger, whose phone rang several times before he answered.

  “Hello, Ms. Perri. How’s my favorite seductress?”

  Playing with a player kept her adrenaline up. Her tone flat, she smirked and said, “Doing very well at it... certainly better than you.”

  “I know better than to try to best you in that area: my hat’s off to you. So what’s on your mind?”

  “I would ask you why you took so long to answer, but I’d wager that you’re perfecting your prowess.”

  “A gentleman never admits to such things.”

  She laughed. “You may be a gentleman, but your talents rival mine.”

  “I do my best...”

  “Now listen. My plan is working well thus far: Kyle is unhappy with Amanda; Amanda is beginning to feel like a klutz—thanks to me—and I need to have a get-together with the both of them.”

  “You mean, you’re going to work on them both together? Isn’t that rather ambitious of you?”

  “You’re going to help me. We’ll invite them over to your house, since Evie would give me no end of grief if I did such a thing here. I’ll work on seducing Kyle, and I need you to ‘perfect your prowess’ with Amanda. I think she’s ripe for being interested in someone else. And you, my darling, are just the man for the job.”

  “I appreciate your high opinion of me, but I’m not as good as you at plotting evil. How are we going to seduce our respective marks without them being aware of the obvious?”

  “You can leave most of that to me. I’ll make sure I can monopolize the conversation with Kyle, and you can keep Amanda spellbound by your charm and wit.”

  “Okay. I can at least do that.”

  “Yes. And I’ll make sure Kyle likes me more before the evening is through.”

  “So when should we do this thing?”

  “How about this Friday...? That way, we can keep them up late, and have more time to work out the seduction.”

  “You think of everything.”

  “I know. Speaking of which, would you give me their number? I’d like to invite them personally.”
/>
  “Sure.”

  She wrote it down. “Okay, Roger. Thanks. You’re a dear.”

  “I try.”

  Monday, August 4th

  After shopping for some necessities and new clothes to wear, and mostly to avoid Evie—she sat in her room, her door closed, pondering the best way to approach the task. All she needed was for Evie to start praying about her intentions, and all would go awry.

  Good luck smiled on her. Evie had left her a note saying she would be home later that evening, so the coast was clear. The “Send” button on her phone dialed the number Roger had given her.

  Appealing to her woman-to-woman would best disarm Amanda. As luck would have it, Amanda answered.

  “Hello?”

  She pumped her fist in the air. Yes! “Hi, Amanda. This is Perri Loliyekar. I was wondering if you and Kyle would like to join Roger and me for a little dinner.”

  At first, she heard nothing. Then a few moments later, an answer came.

  “Oh, Perri. Hi. I’m still embarrassed about how clumsy I’ve been around you.”

  “Oh don’t worry, dear. I’ve all but forgotten it.”

  “Thanks, you’re very kind. But, to answer your question, let me ask Kyle.”

  She waited patiently, hoping the answer would be ‘yes.’ A few moments later, Amanda returned. “Perri?”

  “I’m still here, sweetie.”

  “Yes. Kyle and I would love to join you and Roger. When?”

  “This Friday, at eight o’clock in the evening.”

  “Should I bring anything?”

  “Oh no. We’ll take care of everything.”

  “Okay. See you then.”

  * * *

  Tuesday, August 5th

  The early evening sunset had settled two hours ago. Her smart phone indicated that the time was 21:30 hours. There were four more days until Friday, and Poisonous tapped absentmindedly on the side table next to her bed. “This is boring. No Roger or Kyle and Amanda until Friday. I need to do something positively hideous. Something where someone suffers.” Her blood boiled through every vein and artery in her body, until she came up with a plan. “I must find a young girl to get raped; and of course, some pervert to do the deed.